Leviticus 18:1–17 — “Family Corruption”
KJV with New Testament Connections
Preface: Guarding Against Family Corruption
Leviticus 18 is not merely a list of prohibitions — it is a divine safeguard against family corruption. When moral boundaries collapse inside the home, the damage spreads through generations. God establishes these commands to protect covenant identity, authority structures, and spiritual inheritance.
Before addressing specific sins, God first reminds Israel who they belong to. Holiness in the family reflects holiness in the nation.
Leviticus 18:1 (KJV)
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
Study Note:
The authority for these boundaries comes directly from God.
NT Connection – 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Leviticus 18:2 (KJV)
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.”
Study Note:
Covenant identity precedes moral instruction.
NT Connection – 1 Peter 1:15–16 (KJV)
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Leviticus 18:3 (KJV)
“After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.”
Study Note:
God forbids importing cultural corruption into covenant families.
NT Connection – Romans 12:2 (KJV)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Leviticus 18:4 (KJV)
“Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.”
Study Note:
Holiness requires deliberate obedience.
NT Connection – John 14:15 (KJV)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Leviticus 18:5 (KJV)
“Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.”
Study Note:
God’s boundaries produce life; corruption produces death.
NT Connection – Romans 10:5 (KJV)
“For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”
Specific Safeguards Against Family Corruption
Leviticus 18:6 (KJV)
“None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.”
Study Note:
God immediately addresses incest to protect the family core.
NT Connection – 1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV)
“Flee fornication…”
Leviticus 18:7 (KJV)
“The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.”
Leviticus 18:8 (KJV)
“The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.”
Study Note (7–8):
These sins destroy parental honor and authority.
NT Connection – 1 Corinthians 5:1 (KJV)
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you… that one should have his father's wife.”
Leviticus 18:9 (KJV)
“The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother… even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.”
Leviticus 18:10 (KJV)
“The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter… thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.”
Leviticus 18:11 (KJV)
“The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter… she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.”
Study Note (9–11):
God protects sibling and generational purity.
NT Connection – Ephesians 5:3 (KJV)
“But fornication, and all uncleanness… let it not be once named among you…”
Leviticus 18:12 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.”
Leviticus 18:13 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister…”
Leviticus 18:14 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother… thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.”
Study Note (12–14):
Extended family boundaries preserve generational stability.
NT Connection – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”
Leviticus 18:15 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.”
Leviticus 18:16 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.”
Study Note (15–16):
Marriage covenants must be honored and protected.
NT Connection – Hebrews 13:4 (KJV)
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Leviticus 18:17 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter… they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.”
Study Note:
God calls generational exploitation “wickedness.” Corruption here devastates legacy.
NT Connection – 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (KJV)
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost…
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Closing Teaching Emphasis
Family corruption:
• Destroys trust
• Weakens authority
• Confuses identity
• Spreads generational damage
God’s design for holiness in the home is not restriction — it is protection.
